What is sexism?

In the aftermath of UNC Chapel Hill’s athletic-academic scandal, major media outlets like the Washington Post, NPR and The New York Times published a picture of Chancellor Carol Folt’s reaction to the Wainstein report. The Associated Press photograph, embedded in these sources, pictures Folt wearing a black dress, pearls with a blue striped scarf.

The black dress-blue scarf ensemble wasn’t an accident. Since coming to UNC-CH, Folt has been photographed wearing all shades of Carolina blue pantsuits. Two weeks ago, The Daily Tar Heel published a picture of Folt wearing a Carolina blue blazer with Dalmatian fringe.

I made this observation to a friend, admiring Folt for her infinite and creative iterations of light blue blazers.

“That’s sexist,” my friend replied. “You would never have made that observation with a male chancellor. You never would’ve said that about Holden Thorp.”

She’s right. Holden Thorp’s fashion choices were dull and predictable. A navy blazer, pressed shirt and tie, no matter the designer, can only be so captivating on the cover of “Carolina Weekly.”

But is admiring Folt’s sense of fashion sexist?

Not really. Unless, perhaps, the definition of “sexist” means recognizing gender differences exist. Acknowledging the male-female binary isn’t sexist. Sexism occurs when one discriminates based on stereotypes and prejudice. Sexism happens when women are regarded as inferior, solely because of their gender.

Appreciating Folt’s bold sense of fashion doesn’t mean one is sexist. In the same way, recognizing great female trendsetters like Jackie O, Michelle Obama and Audrey Hepburn isn’t sexist; it’s an important part of culture.

Modernity is interested in erasing traditional gender roles—like chivalry—with hopes of erasing centuries of oppression. This however, is impossible because men and women are different. They have different body chemistries, social patterns and general interests, which isn’t to say that traditional gender identities should constrain self-expression.

Recognizing that men and women are different and speaking about these differences isn’t sexist. And understanding these differences and patterns in gender identity can ease “battles” between the sexes.

For example, most guys with sisters will avoid the truth when she asks, “How do I look in this cropped tie-dye scrunchie shirt?”

While society is redefining gender and giving people more freedom to express their gender, it’s important to remember that traditional male and female genders still exist. Making gender-specific observations isn’t sexist. It’s human.